‘River is getting close’: Erosion is threatening Napakiak’s school and some students are already leaving
The Kuskokwim River has been eating away at Napakiak for decades; the community is accustomed to moving homes back when the water gets too close. But the school is too big to move, and the river is approaching too fast, accelerated by climate change.
Astronomers find a new planet that’s mostly made of iron
NASA's TESS telescope finds a small, iron-rich planet which could help explain the origins of Mercury, the innermost planet in our solar system
Travelers at Anchorage airport can now pick up free rapid COVID-19 tests
Alaska was one of five states picked to pass out the rapid tests based on COVID-19 rates and previous partnerships with the federal health department. The pilot program is part of a major push by the Biden administration to expand access to the over-the-counter, at-home tests as a way to curb the spread of COVID-19 this winter.
Anchorage reproductive health officer fired
Sharon Smith says she was fired without any explanation, the latest in a string of departures from the health department.
Most Alaskans who died of COVID had at least one underlying medical condition, state report says
Of the 551 individuals for which past medical history was known, 529 “had at least one underlying medical condition associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19,” the report said.
A 3rd U.S. case of the omicron variant is reported in Colorado
Colorado health officials say the case was identified in a resident who tested positive after traveling to southern Africa. Another case of the variant was reported in Minnesota earlier Thursday.
Two Alaska soldiers found dead, foul play not suspected, investigators say
Two Alaska-based soldiers were found dead separately in recent days.
Police chief retirement and budget vetoes mark latest shakeup in Anchorage politics
Turbulence in Anchorage’s city politics continued Tuesday with the chief of police announcing his retirement and the mayor vetoing most of the changes the Assembly made to the city’s budget last week.
DNA matches body to Alaska man last seen alive in 1979
The remains of a man found on Fire Island just west of Anchorage in 1989 have been identified through DNA and genome sequencing, Alaska State Troopers said Wednesday.
Roe v. Wade’s future is in doubt after historic arguments at Supreme Court
The right to an abortion in the United States appeared to be on shaky ground as a divided Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on the fate of Roe v. Wade, the court's 1973 decision that legalized abortion in the United States.
Former Alaska Senate president Giessel to seek office again
Former Alaska Senate President Cathy Giessel lost her primary last year to Republican Roger Holland, who went on to win the seat.
Two weeks into job, Anchorage’s new homelessness director is mum on plans
Dave D’Amato has suggested using private security to police homeless camps, and has said that donating to social service nonprofits perpetuates homelessness, among other controversial views.
Berries, wildlife and toxic land: The continuing push to clean up contamination in rural Alaska
When a string of Yup'ik elders from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, all received the same cancer diagnoses, officials initially shrugged it off as a bizarre medical mystery. But not long after, a different village reported an increase in unusual cancer symptoms as well.
Indigenous metal band riffs on issues affecting Native people
The song titles grab your attention, but guitarist Jacob Tix̂lax̂ Stepetin says the point is to create an opportunity to talk about Indigenous issues.
The first U.S. case of the omicron variant has now been reported
A case in California marks omicron's arrival in the U.S. Cases have been found in more than 20 countries around the world, less than a week after the worrying new variant was first identified.
Anchorage Police Chief Ken McCoy says he’ll retire in February
In a statement Tuesday evening, McCoy said his decision came after "much reflection and thoughtful consideration," but he did not provide a specific reason for retiring less than a year after he was named police chief.
Anchorage mayor vetoes most of the Assembly’s budget changes
Bronson cut nearly all of the additions the Anchorage Assembly had agreed to last week when it unanimously passed the spending plan.
Supreme Court considers whether to reverse Roe v. Wade arguments
An epic argument at the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday: At issue is whether to reverse the court's nearly half-century-old Roe v. Wade decision and subsequent decisions declaring that women have a constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.
Alaskans should be vigilant, not overwhelmed, with likely arrival of omicron variant, Zink says
As Alaska virus hunters look for sings of omicron in the state, Alaska's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink says overcoming coronavirus fatigue is more important than ever.
Anchorage’s iconic holiday star shines on again after avalanche prompts repairs
Since Friday, airmen have worked to repair the star that’s located about 4,000 feet up Mount Gordon Lyon. They’ve contended with wind chills below zero degrees and snowy skies to get all 350 light bulbs replaced.